Reducing administrative procedures

According to a senior government official, starting Tuesday, September 17, individuals who recently obtained a work permit in Seychelles will no longer receive a physical identity card. Instead, they will use SeyID, the country’s virtual digital identity platform.

Alain Volcère, Principal Secretary for Immigration, told reporters that this new measure aims to improve the efficiency of the Department of Immigration and Civil Status. One of the main benefits of this new service will be the reduction in administrative processes. It will facilitate identity verification and control, while also reducing the number of people queuing, thereby increasing the department’s efficiency, he explained.

Immigration Commissioner Erica Dufresne clarified that the process for obtaining a work permit has not changed. The only modification is that permit holders will no longer receive physical cards. Applicants must still appear in person and follow all existing procedures. Permit holders will be able to register their virtual identity card only after receiving their national ID number by visiting the SeyID website at www.seyid.gov.sc.

Seychellois citizens will still have the option to keep or discard their physical ID card, as it expires every ten years and does not need to be replaced regularly over time. The Ministry of Immigration and Civil Status has also launched a digital service called « CertExpress », a platform that allows Seychellois citizens to obtain birth, marriage, or death certificates online. This service is expected to streamline the request and issuance of civil records, offering a faster and more convenient alternative to traditional in-person requests. Statistics from the Ministry of Immigration and Civil Status show that about 80 people visit daily to request certificates.